MaxxBoxx 960

MaxxBoxx computer

MaxxBoxx 960

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Overview

The MaxxBoxx 960 was based on the Tsunami motherboard (also used in the Power Mac 9600) and used 180-225 MHz Power PC 604e CPUs. It was only sold in Germany.

WARNING: This model does not support Mac OS 7.6.0. The only upgrade from 7.5.5 is directly to 7.6.1 or later.

Variants

960/200. 200 MHz 604e processor
960/225. 225 MHz 604e processor
960/180MP. two 180 MHz 604e processors
960/200MP. two 200 MHz 604e processors
960/800MP. four 200 MHz 604e processors

Details

introduced 1997.11.01, discontinued 1998.02.01
requires System 7.5.5, Mac OS 7.6.1 through 9.1
CPU: 180-225 MHz PPC 604e
bus: 45-50 MHz
RAM: 32 MB standard, expandable to 1,536 MB
VRAM: 4 MB, expandable to 8 MB
Video: 15-pin DB-15 port; supports resolutions to 1280 x 1024 at 24 bits and up to 1600 x 1200 at an unspecified bit depth
L2 cache: 1 MB
hard drive: 2 GB SCSI
CD-ROM: 12x ATAPI drive
ADB: 1 port for keyboard and mouse
PS/2 keyboard port
PS/2 mouse port
two miniDIN-8 GeoPorts on back of computer
SCSI: DB-25 connector on back of computer
ethernet: 10Base-T and AAUI
PCI slots: 6
battery: 3.6V lithiuim

Accelerators & Upgrades

New Type of G3 Daughter Card, Mac Daniel, 1999.05.20
CPU daughtercards. See our Guide to G3 Daughter Cards and Guide to G4 Daughter Cards

Online Resources

Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
Mac System 7.5.5 can do anything Mac OS 7.6.1 can, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.06.04. Yes, it is possible to run Internet Explorer 5.1.7 and SoundJam with System 7.5.5. You just need to have all the updates - and make one modification for SoundJam.
Format any drive for older Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked to this article.
SATA and PCI Power Macs: No OS X joy, but you can boot OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.17. Weeks of experimention find that while you can't seem to boot a pre-G3 Power Mac into OS X from a SATA hard drive, you can at least boot OS 9 from it.
Musings on low-end SATA cards in PCI Power Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.06. Thoughts on why the inexpensive SATA card might almost work in a pre-G3 PCI Power Mac.
Old Power Macs and SATA not a marriage made in heaven, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.03. The PCI SATA card said blue & white G3 or newer and Mac OS 8.6 or later, but maybe it would work in an older pre-G3 Power Mac....
System 7 Today, advocates of Apple's 'orphan' Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
MaxxBoxx: The biggest, most colorful, least known Mac clones, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.09.12. Designed to accomodate several different Apple motherboards, the MaxxBoxx clones had room for up to 10 internal drives, garnering a dedicate following among German power users.
Mac OS 8 and 8.1: Maximum size, maximum convenience, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2006.09.11. Mac OS 8 and 8.1 add some useful new features and tools, and it can even be practical on 68030-based Macs.
Preparing your Mac's hard drive for Linux, Larry Stotler, Linux on the Low End, 2006.08.09. Before you install Linux, you have to partition your hard drive. A look at three different hard drive strategies for Mac Linux.
Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
The ins and outs of booting Linux on the Mac, Larry Stotler, Linux on the Low End, 2006.07.31. "Old World" Macs can't boot directly into Linux. They need to boot the Classic Mac OS first, then pass control over to Linux.
Preparing your PCI Power Mac for Linux, Larry Stotler, Linux on the Low End, 2006.07.26. How powerful a CPU do you need? How much memory? Do you need a faster drive controller? Are some video cards better than others?
ATI Radeon 7000 Driver for Mac OS 7.6.1, System 7 Today, 2006.05.29. ATI's installers don't support System 7.6.1, but System 7 Today's does, making this the fastest video card to work with Mac OS 7.6.1
Back to Kansas: A look at the fastest, most expandable pre-G3 Power Macs, Grant Hayes, Applesauce, 2006.05.09. The Power Mac 8600 and 9600 used a fast 604e chip that could give early G3 systems a real run for the money.
Getting the Mac digital jukebox up and running, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.05.08. Connecting your PowerPC Mac to your stereo and remote control options for running a headless digital audio jukebox.
System 7.6.1 is perfect for many older Macs, John Martorana, That Old Mac Magic, 2006.03.24. Want the best speed from your old Mac? System 7.6.1 can give you that with a fairly small memory footprint - also helpful on older Macs.
Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
Why you should use Mac OS 7.6 to get the most out of vintage Macs, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 2005.12.12. Although you may be able to run OS 8 or 9 on your old Mac, you'll generally find better performance using Mac OS 7.6.
Sonata SD, Sonnet Tech, 2004.06.01. First new PCI video card for the Mac in ages sells for just US$99, supports OS 7.5.3 and later plus OS X 10.1.5 and later, works with VGA or old Mac monitors, 16 MB VRAM.
Review: Sonnet Tempo Ultra ATA66 Macintosh PCI Host Adapter, Dan Knight, 2000.07.28. The most economical way to put IDE support in a PCI Power Mac.
Upgrading the Power Mac 7500, Chris Lawson, 2000.07.18
Mac Daniel: Upgrading a Power Mac 7200 and 7500
Guide to G3 Daughter Cards

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